During his first three seasons, Wade Christopher's primary way to help the team has come from running the scout-team defense.

Last week, defensive coordinator Ted Roof called upon Christopher to jump to the first-team unit.

A bevy of injuries have cost five of Auburn's seven linebackers at least some time during August practice. Among those players, injuries to starting weak-side linebacker Eltoro Freeman and top reserves Spencer Pybus and Adam Herring have opened a lane for Christopher to get on the field.